My dear Sir

I am sure you will be glad to hear that I have been elected, after a struggle of some sharpness from what I learn, to the Assistant Secretaryship of the Geological Society.— I must thank you for your share in this result, which, I believe, is not a small one, as your Testimonial was a particularly strong one, & bearing your name would naturally have great weight, & I have no doubt your personal influence with members of the Council has also been felt in my favour—¹

I am happy to have to tell you that after all the delay that has been caused by this business, I have succeeded in finishing the Translation of Fritz Müller,—I shall read it over to polish the English a little, insert tracings of the woodcuts & send it up to Mr. Murray without loss of time—² It has been a heavy job, for although easy to read a great many passages require mature consideration in translating & the MS. parts, which all came at the end, gave me a good deal of trouble, the small German handwriting being almost too much for my eyesight by gaslight.—³ As the election has occupied every one’s attention throughout the present month, I do not think the delay in publishing will be disadvantageous to the book.—⁴ I suppose I had better write a short preface indicating the general characteristics of the work & the principal additions.—

Believe me | My dear Sir | Your’s very truly | W. S. Dallas

C. Darwin Esq. F.R.S. | &c &c &c